Documented artwork / architectural public sculpture / elevated pavilion
Pavilion in the Trees
Credit as documented: Martin Puryear
Martin Puryear's 1993 pavilion combines an elevated timber platform with a long walkway in Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park. Developed through the Association for Public Art's Form and Function program, it was realized with architect Samuel Harris. Its materials include cedar, oak, redwood and stainless steel mesh. As checked October 16, 2026, the association says the pavilion is closed for structural assessment: visitors may observe it from the surrounding area but must not enter or walk beneath it.
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At a glance
- Year / version
- 1993 (conceived 1981)
- Materials
- debarked western red cedar (posts and framing), clear, heart white oak (decking, handrails, and benches), clear, heart redwood (canopy), stainless steel mesh
- Documented setting
- outdoor
- Dimensions
- Association for Public Art: walkway 5 × 60 feet; deck 24 feet above ground; canopy 11 × 16 × 16 feet; overall height about 35 feet.
- Dimensions apply to
- Published dimensions for this documented work; component scope and disagreements are retained. Not an installation or engineering specification.
- Availability
- Unconfirmed
Places & versions
Installation history
Historical presentations. A past installation does not establish the current location or suitability for a new site.
1993
Lansdowne Glen, Horticulture Center grounds, West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Site
- Lansdowne Glen, Horticulture Center grounds, West Fairmount Park
- City
- Philadelphia
- State / region
- PA
- Country
- United States (inferred; not independently confirmed)
- Commissioner
- Association for Public Art
Installation details checked 2026-10-17.
Materials and construction
An older Association for Public Art project history dates the original concept to 1981 and installation at the Horticulture Center to 1993. That historical page does not override the current structural-closure notice.
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Sources
- www.associationforpublicart.org ↗ · Checked 2026-10-16
- www.associationforpublicart.org ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17
- www.associationforpublicart.org ↗ · Checked 2026-10-16